# Cauterets A spa resort in the French Pyrenees, gateway to the Pyrenees National Park, with access to the Pont d'Espagne and Lac de Gaube beneath the north face of the Vignemale. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/occitanie/cauterets · Revisado: 2026-11-12 ## What is Cauterets like? A 19th-century spa village at the bottom of a narrow Pyrenean valley, with hotels with stone façades and iron balconies, the thermal baths building and a shopping street where they sell berlingots, the coloured sweets typical of the village. It is the gateway to the Pyrenees National Park on the side of the Pont d'Espagne and the Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees. People come for two things: walking the high valleys in summer and bathing in thermal water when the sun goes down. In winter add skiing: the Cirque du Lys resort, above the village, and the cross-country trails of the Pont d'Espagne. ## How do I get to the Pont d'Espagne? The Pont d'Espagne is a stone bridge over a waterfall, about 7 km from the village along the D920 road, inside the national park. From there start the routes to Lac de Gaube and the Marcadau valley. There are two ways up: By car, to the Puntas car park, which in summer costs €8 a day and €13 if you stay more than 12 hours. You pay at the entrance. In August it fills up early. By shuttle, which leaves from the Cauterets bus station, with stops at the Esplanade des Oeufs and at La Raillère. From 4 July to 30 August there is a departure every two hours, from 8:00 to 18:00, with returns from 9:00 to 19:00. In late May, June and September there are four a day. The return ticket costs €8.50 for adults and €5.50 for children aged 5 to 10; under-4s don't pay. You buy it online or from the driver; at the station ticket office, cash only. ## What is the route to Lac de Gaube like? It is the classic excursion: from the Pont d'Espagne, about 4.9 km there and back with 259 m of climb, about 2 h 30 in all. You reach a glacial lake with the north face of the Vignemale in the background and the Hôtellerie du Lac de Gaube, which opens in summer. If you don't want to walk up, in summer the Puntas gondola and the Lac de Gaube chairlift leave you about twenty minutes' flat walk away; they have a combined pass with the shuttle. In 2026 the lifts closed on 27 September. From 15 June 2026 a prefectural order bans swimming in the lakes in the heart of the national park, including Gaube. Dogs can reach in summer only on a lead and via the lifts, as far as the first shore of the lake. From 1 November to 30 April they may not enter the heart of the park. ## And the Marcadau valley? It is the other route from the Pont d'Espagne, longer and quieter: about 2 h 30 on a well-marked path, among meadows, pines and the torrent, to the Wallon-Marcadau hut, at 1,865 m. Families used to walking like it. From the hut start the loop of the lakes of Nère, Pourtet and Embarrat and the more solitary climb to the Cambalès lakes. La Grande Fâche, the peak above the valley, is only for experienced mountaineers. ## And the thermal baths? The Bains du Rocher have a big indoor pool that continues outside, in the open air, with hot thermal water all year round and mountain views, plus jacuzzis, jets, a hammam and a sauna. According to the village website, the adult entrance costs €20 to €22 and the child's €13 to €14. It closes for a few weeks in November for maintenance. ## How do you get there from Spain? From Aragon, via the Somport tunnel or the Portalet pass, and then towards Lourdes and Argelès-Gazost, from where a mountain road climbs to Cauterets. The nearest railway station, with TGV, is Lourdes, about 30 km away, with regular buses to the village. From November to March French mountain law requires chains or snow socks in the car, or four winter tyres. ## Dónde está - Zonas: Pyrenees - Cerca: Cirque de Gavarnie (a 23.3 km), Tena Valley (a 24.2 km · Spain), Ordesa Valley (a 27.1 km · Spain), Canfranc, Candanchú and Astún (a 36.6 km · Spain) ## Qué hacer - **Lac de Gaube from Pont d'Espagne** (2 h 30 · 4.9 km · Families; with the lifts, small children too): From Pont d'Espagne, about 4.9 km round trip with 259 m of ascent to the lake, with the Vignemale in the background and the Hôtellerie du Lac de Gaube, which opens in summer. In summer the Puntas gondola and the Gaube chairlift leave you twenty flat minutes away. Since 15 June 2026, swimming in the lakes in the heart of the park is prohibited. - **Pont d'Espagne and its waterfalls** (45 min · All ages): The stone bridge where the Gaube and Marcadau torrents meet in a series of waterfalls, inside the national park. In summer the Puntas car park costs €8 a day; the shuttle from the village bus station, €8.50 return (€5.50 for ages 5 to 10). It is the gateway to Gaube and the Marcadau. - **Marcadau Valley to the Wallon refuge** (5 h · Families used to walking): The other route from Pont d'Espagne, longer and quieter than Gaube: about 2 h 30 of walking to the Wallon-Marcadau refuge, at 1,865 m. Bring a picnic. From the refuge start the loop of the Nère, Pourtet and Embarrat lakes and the climb to the Cambalès lakes. - **Waterfalls path from La Raillère to Pont d'Espagne** (1 h 30 · Families who walk): From the La Raillère car park, climb to Pont d'Espagne along the GR10, hugging the river and its waterfalls, such as the Cerisey. Allow 1 h 30 from the village. At the top, buy a one-way ticket on the shuttle and come down without repeating the climb. - **Bains du Rocher, thermal water indoors and out** (2 h · All ages; children €13 to €14 · Desde 20 € adult): The village's recreational thermal centre: a large indoor pool that continues outdoors with hot water all year and the mountain in front of you, plus jacuzzis, jets, hammam and sauna. According to the village website, entry costs €20 to €22 for adults and €13 to €14 for children. It closes for a few weeks in November for maintenance. - **Meyabat Canyon, the sportiest in Cauterets** (3 h 30 · From age 14, good swimmers · Desde 50 € per person): Short and intense, in a rock gorge carved by the Cauterets gave: consecutive jumps, natural slides and swimming in fast water, with often strong flows. Only for fit people who swim well. You meet the guide at Azimut Sport, on Rue de la Raillère. ## Dónde comer - **Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne** (Restaurant, Cauterets, €€). Qué pedir: A brasserie dish on the terrace, on the way back from Lac de Gaube. - **Le Pintxoak** (Restaurant, Cauterets, €€). Qué pedir: The garbure, the thick soup of cabbage and pulses from Béarn and Bigorre. ## By car: From Huesca or Pamplona via the Somport or the Portalet Cross through the Somport tunnel or the Portalet, drive down towards Lourdes and climb from Argelès-Gazost. In August, leave the car in the village and take the shuttle up to Pont d'Espagne. Presupuesto orientativo: 70–130 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne** (Small hotel): Sleeping inside the park The Hôtellerie is a small family hotel at Pont d'Espagne, inside the Pyrenees National Park, with a view of the waterfalls. Sleeping here puts you five minutes from the Lac de Gaube chairlift and at the start of the routes to the Marcadau and the Oulettes, before the cars and the shuttle arrive. In winter it sits above the cross-country ski track, a snowshoe route, a walking circuit and a sledge run. The rooms There are ten rooms, with bathroom and a television room upstairs: a simple mountain hotel. Downstairs, the restaurant and bar serve all day. It is open in summer and winter and closes in October and November. Getting there and luggage By car, park at the Puntas, free for guests, and walk five minutes. In summer you can drive up to drop off your luggage; in winter, the hotel brings it up by snowmobile. You can also arrive by the shuttle from Cauterets or on foot along the waterfalls path, in 1 h 30. - **Camping Cabaliros** (Campsite, desde 14.28 € / pitch): A walkers' campsite Cabaliros is on Avenue du Mamelon Vert, beside the river, two minutes by car from the centre of Cauterets or twenty on foot along a path. It has three stars and the Esprit Parc National label, and is a quiet, family campsite designed for those who come to walk: there is a bivouac pitch for hikers and a common room with a library. A free bus takes you to the village, the baths and the gondolas, and the supermarket and a sports shop are five minutes' walk away. Pitches and accommodation There are 100 grass pitches, some "Grand Confort" with water, electricity and drainage, and a service area for motorhomes. In summer 2026, a pitch with one person cost €14.28 in June and September and €19.86 in July and August; with electricity, €18.76 to €26.46. They rent chalets, open all year, mobile homes and a caravan. There is a laundry, sale of bread and Pyrenean products, play equipment for children and adapted toilets. Season The pitches are open from the last weekend of May to the last of September; the Louisiane chalets, all year. Reception is open from 8:30 to 20:00. ### Servicios - **Pont d'Espagne shuttle and car park**: Shuttle from the bus station · €8.50 return, €5.50 for ages 5 to 10 · Puntas car park €8 a day in summer - **Cauterets Tourist Office**: Place Foch · information on routes, lifts, the shuttle, the baths and open restaurants ## On foot: Gaube, Marcadau and the lakes of the park Cauterets is a walkers' base: Pont d'Espagne opens up Lac de Gaube, the Marcadau and the Oulettes, at the foot of the Vignemale. The GR10 passes through the village. Presupuesto orientativo: 60–110 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're on foot - **Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne** (Small hotel): Sleeping inside the park The Hôtellerie is a small family hotel at Pont d'Espagne, inside the Pyrenees National Park, with a view of the waterfalls. Sleeping here puts you five minutes from the Lac de Gaube chairlift and at the start of the routes to the Marcadau and the Oulettes, before the cars and the shuttle arrive. In winter it sits above the cross-country ski track, a snowshoe route, a walking circuit and a sledge run. The rooms There are ten rooms, with bathroom and a television room upstairs: a simple mountain hotel. Downstairs, the restaurant and bar serve all day. It is open in summer and winter and closes in October and November. Getting there and luggage By car, park at the Puntas, free for guests, and walk five minutes. In summer you can drive up to drop off your luggage; in winter, the hotel brings it up by snowmobile. You can also arrive by the shuttle from Cauterets or on foot along the waterfalls path, in 1 h 30. - **Camping Cabaliros** (Campsite, desde 14.28 € / pitch): A walkers' campsite Cabaliros is on Avenue du Mamelon Vert, beside the river, two minutes by car from the centre of Cauterets or twenty on foot along a path. It has three stars and the Esprit Parc National label, and is a quiet, family campsite designed for those who come to walk: there is a bivouac pitch for hikers and a common room with a library. A free bus takes you to the village, the baths and the gondolas, and the supermarket and a sports shop are five minutes' walk away. Pitches and accommodation There are 100 grass pitches, some "Grand Confort" with water, electricity and drainage, and a service area for motorhomes. In summer 2026, a pitch with one person cost €14.28 in June and September and €19.86 in July and August; with electricity, €18.76 to €26.46. They rent chalets, open all year, mobile homes and a caravan. There is a laundry, sale of bread and Pyrenean products, play equipment for children and adapted toilets. Season The pitches are open from the last weekend of May to the last of September; the Louisiane chalets, all year. Reception is open from 8:30 to 20:00. ### Servicios - **Pont d'Espagne shuttle and car park**: Shuttle from the bus station · €8.50 return, €5.50 for ages 5 to 10 · Puntas car park €8 a day in summer - **Cauterets Tourist Office**: Place Foch · information on routes, lifts, the shuttle, the baths and open restaurants ## As a family: A glacial lake within everyone's reach With the summer lifts, Lac de Gaube is twenty flat minutes away: it is one of the few high-mountain lakes that a family with small children can reach. ### What works best Lac de Gaube with the gondola and chairlift The waterfalls of Pont d'Espagne The waterfalls path, going up and returning on the shuttle An afternoon at the Bains du Rocher ### Where to stay Camping Cabaliros, with play areas and a free bus to the village Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne ### Where to eat Children's menu at the Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne Garbure at Le Pintxoak ### Bear in mind Swimming is prohibited in the park's lakes Shuttle free for under-4s; ages 5 to 10, €5.50 ### Qué hacer as a family - Lac de Gaube from Pont d'Espagne - Pont d'Espagne and its waterfalls - Marcadau Valley to the Wallon refuge - Waterfalls path from La Raillère to Pont d'Espagne - Bains du Rocher, thermal water indoors and out ## With young children: Lifts, waterfalls and hot water With small children, let the lifts do the climbing and save your legs for the flat walk beside the lake. ### What works best Gaube with the gondola and chairlift, twenty flat minutes Pont d'Espagne, a few minutes from the car park The Bains du Rocher, with a hot pool ### Where to stay Camping Cabaliros, with slides and play areas ### Where to eat Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne, open all day ### Bear in mind At Gaube a cold wind blows: bring a coat even if it is warm below A baby carrier is better than a pushchair on the paths ### Qué hacer with young children - Lac de Gaube from Pont d'Espagne - Pont d'Espagne and its waterfalls - Bains du Rocher, thermal water indoors and out ## With teenagers: Canyon, Marcadau and thermal baths From age 14, Cauterets has the sportiest canyon in the valley; for the rest, a full day to the Marcadau refuge. ### What works best Meyabat Canyon, from age 14 Marcadau Valley to the Wallon refuge Bains du Rocher at the end of the day ### Where to stay Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne, at the start of the routes ### Where to eat Picnic at the refuge ### Bear in mind For canyoning you need to swim well Gaube and the Marcadau on the same day add up to more than seven hours ### Qué hacer with teenagers - Lac de Gaube from Pont d'Espagne - Marcadau Valley to the Wallon refuge - Waterfalls path from La Raillère to Pont d'Espagne - Bains du Rocher, thermal water indoors and out - Meyabat Canyon, the sportiest in Cauterets ## Consejos ### Take the first shuttle You reach Gaube before the groups and save yourself looking for a space in the Puntas car park. ### Do Gaube and the Marcadau on different days Together they are more than seven hours of walking. Gaube is a morning; the Marcadau, a whole day with a picnic at the hut. ### Leave the swimming for the baths In the lakes it is forbidden. Finish the day in the hot water of the Bains du Rocher. ### Always carry a coat At Lac de Gaube air blows down from the glacier even when it is hot in the village. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take to get to Lac de Gaube? About 2 h 30 there and back from the Pont d'Espagne, with 259 m of climb. In summer, with the gondola and chairlift, it is about twenty minutes on foot. ### How much does it cost to park at the Pont d'Espagne? In summer 2026, €8 a day in the Puntas car park and €13 if you stay more than 12 hours. ### Can I swim in Lac de Gaube? No. Since 15 June 2026 swimming is banned in the lakes in the heart of the national park. ### Can I go with a dog? In summer, on a lead and only with the lifts as far as the shore of Lac de Gaube. From November to April dogs may not enter the heart of the park. ### Can I get there without a car? Yes. There is a train to Lourdes and a bus to Cauterets, and in the village the shuttle goes up to the Pont d'Espagne from late May to late September. ### How many days do I need? Two: one for the Pont d'Espagne and Lac de Gaube, with the baths in the afternoon, and another for the Marcadau. With three you add a long route or the Oulettes de Gaube hut, at the foot of the Vignemale.